Mario Party 8 is the eighth installment of the Mario Party series on a home console, the first Mario Party game for the Wii, and the tenth game overall in the series. It is also the last Mario Party home console game to be developed by Hudson Soft. The game is more notable than its prequels for its strong use of the Wii Remote in minigames, as the players can wave it, point and shoot, and many other new and different actions. This game also features an extra mode where Miis, as well as the Mario players can participate in the party. Just like Mario Party 6 and Mario Party 7, players can collect Carnival Cards to unlock new features of the game by simply winning minigames, playing in the Party Tent, or playing in the Star Battle Arena, where the player must win in all of the boards against a CPU.

The game features 6 brand new boards. Though one of them features the classic conditions for obtaining a star (reaching a star and paying coins), all other boards feature new and unique conditions for obtaining stars. This game also features items called Candy that can transform characters, but cannot be set up as traps on boards.

In Mario Party 8, a ringmaster named MC Ballyhoo and his talking hat Big Top have invited Mario and the rest of the crew to his carnival, the Star Carnival without inviting Bowser. MC Ballyhoo has promised to whoever wins is crowned the Superstar and receives a year's supply of candy. This begins the battle between characters in the boards to retrieve the prize.

However, after the player has defeated the last opponent, MC Ballyhoo claims he promised something even better than a year's supply of candy, which is the Star Rod. However, Bowser comes and steals the Star Rod and runs away to his new board, Bowser's Warped Orbit. After the character beats one of his minions, which is either Hammer Bro or Blooper, the character then challenges Bowser to a fight. After the fight, Bowser falls into a hole and the character returns the Star Rod and the game ends. After that, the fought minion is unlocked as a playable character. If the player redoes the arena with that minion, they unlock the other minion.

Following tradition, Mario Party 8 takes the social, strategic game play of board games and adds breaks for quick, action-oriented minigames. In the main mode, players travel across six boards in search of Stars, landing on spaces that are either helpful or a hindrance by rolling Dice Blocks with numbers 1 to 10. Unlike previous Mario Party games, the spaces on each board take different shapes, depending on the board. Several variations for these boards tweak the main goals to enhance game play for solo sessions, two-player games and three to four-player games.

Like in the preceding Mario Party games, there is a last five turns event called Chump Charity. The event is only limited to a free Duelo Candy or 30 coins to the last place player, unlike the previous wheels that have been used. Also, every space that doesn't have a player standing on will have coins released by MC Ballyhoo on top of them for the players to collect. Every normal space gets one coin on top of them, and every red space gets five coins for who ever passes them.

Just like the previous Mario Party games, there are also bonus stars that the player can receive if the bonuses are turned on. Just like recent Mario Party games, there are a variety of bonus stars to collect, ranging from winning the most minigames to landing on the most red spaces. Only three of these stars are handed out at a time and they are randomized each play-through.

Minigame Star: The player who wins the most coins in minigames. It basically means who ever won the most minigames, since coins are rewarded to the winners of a minigame.

Candy Star: The player who uses the most Candy will receive this star. Note that it isn't just buying Candy, it's using the Candy the player currently has in the inventory.

Green Star: The player who landed on the most green spaces earn this star. Since Happening Spaces are the only Green Spaces available in this game, it is earned for players who landed on the most Happening Spaces.

Running Star: The player who advanced the most spaces will earn this star. It does not count if the player used a teleporter such as a Springo Candy or certain Green Spaces. It only counts if the player advances through a certain amount of spaces. Using Twice or Thrice Candy can help accomplish this star.

Shopping Star: The player who spent the most coins on candy earns this star. It is easier to obtain for 1st place players, since they have to spend more money than lower place players for the same candy. The player has to visit shops and purchase candies than run through Candy Areas for this star. Simply visiting shops won't count for the Shopping Star either.

Red Star: The player who landed on the most Red Spaces earns this star. Landing on Bowser Spaces do not count for earning this star, as they are recorded separately. Otherwise, this star has a straightforward description: who ever lands on the most Red Spaces will get this star.

With motion control players can row their way through a river race, punch a statue to pieces, steer race cars, mopeds and go-karts and handle a balancing pole while walking a tightrope. By using the pointer the player can shoot at Red Boos in a haunted house, drag and drop toppings in a cake-decorating competition, select the correct answers in game show challenges. Using the Wii remote's buttons players jump and pummel their way through a football brawl, hop and run across a field of spinning platforms.

It is notable that the new unlockable characters both made multiple appearances in previous Mario Party installments. Blooper has appeared in various minigames along with Hammer Bro, who also appeared as an Orb and a Capsule in the last three Mario Party games. To unlock them, a player must play Star Battle Arena once to randomly unlock one (that character will be revealed in Bowser's Warped Orbit), and play again a second time as the unlocked character to unlock the other one.

Debuting in Mario Party 5, players could fight in a tag-team match. In said matches, two players were paired together. In Mario Party 6, but not Mario Party 7, team names were chosen depending on which two characters were paired together. This is a returning feature. Here are all of the possible name combinations:

After completing Koopa's Tycoon Town, the player will then compete against either Hammer Bro or Blooper, the unlockable characters, to win. After defeating them, the player will challenge against Bowser in his final minigame. After defeating Bowser, credits will roll and the player will earn two hundred Carnival Cards, whomever the player defeated in Bowser's Warped Orbit as a playable character, and the Minigame Wagon will open.

Players move across this board to get a star in a random location in this board. Stars always cost 20 coins each, and whenever a player obtains the star on the board, another star warps to a different location. Landing on a DK space in this board causes DK to throw the player directly towards the star and landing on a Bowser space will cause the star to warp to a different location. To win in Star Battle Arena, the player must collect two stars.

Players move through this linear board to get to the end. At the end, Captain Goomba gives the star to the player for free, as a reward for reaching this far. After receiving the star, the player will get transported back to the start via gulls carrying a wooden plank. Dolphin Expresses in the course can take the player closer to Captain Goomba by paying a fee. The fee depends on what place the player is currently in, with first place having to pay the most while fourth place the least. Landing on a DK space will give the player a chance to earn coins, while landing on the Bowser space will cause the player a chance to lose coins. To win this board in Star Battle Arena, the player must have 50 coins and reach Captain Goomba to purchase a star from him.

Players move through a mansion to try to find King Boo and get a star from him. Out of three rooms in the house, King Boo is in one of them. If the player stumbles in other rooms where King Boo is not hiding in, Red Boos come and toss the player in a hole, thus making the player go back to the start of the mansion. King Boo offers the star for ten coins once the player reaches him. After paying for that, everyone is taken out of the mansion for another shuffle with different rooms in the mansion. If the player lands on a DK space, DK will cover up the hole and offer the player a free star; if the player lands on a Bowser space, Bowser will cover up the hole and will steal a star for the player who comes to any room. In Star Battle Arena, the conditions required to win is to acquire stars from King Boo twice for 10 coins.

Players move through a train to get to the conductor of the train, who will offer a Star for 20 coins. The train board is linear, and therefore, there are no branching paths. After being offered for the star, the player travels on top of the train and back to the start, unlike Goomba's Booty Boardwalk where the player instantly travels back to the start. If someone lands on a DK space, DK will be in charge of the train and offers a free star to anyone who could make it to him. If Bowser is in charge instead when someone lands on a Bowser Space, Bowser will make the player lose a star to who ever reaches him. In Star Battle Arena, in order to win the game, the player must collect 50 coins and hand them over to Holly Koopa (not the conductor, who will give the player 10 coins instead) to earn a star and win the board.

In this board, players invest money in hotels in order to earn stars. Investing in an amount of coins in the hotel will cause the hotel to buildup and make the amount of stars the hotel can offer to increase by one. The maximum amount of stars a hotel can carry is three. When a player lands on a Donkey Kong space, Donkey Kong will come and help invest coins. Adversely, when a player lands on a Bowser space, Bowser will take coins away from a selected hotel. In Star Battle Arena, the player has to earn four stars by owning hotels in order to win. This board is similar to the board game Monopoly.

In this board, players are given five stars (three in Star Battle). Players must use the Bullet Candy and Bowser Candy to steal stars from opponents. The board is also linear; no branching paths exist (if one does not count the random branching paths in some parts of the board that the player cannot choose to take). In Star Battle Arena, the player wins by stealing stars from their opponent, until they have zero stars. This board is unlocked by completing the entire Star Battle.

Players who land on this space get three coins. The space shape varies by board; sometimes, it's a quadrilateral shape and sometimes, it's the classic circular shape. Unlike the preceding games, there is no bonus on the last five turns that can increase the number of coins a blue space gives. Just like the preceding games, they are the most common space to be encountered.

Players who land on this space lose three coins. The space shape varies by board; sometimes, it's a quadrilateral shape and sometimes, it's the classic circular shape. Unlike the preceding games, there is no bonus on the last five turns that can decrease the number of coins a blue space gives. They are uncommon, but it is usually more common than other spaces on the board. A bonus star can be earned if the player lands on the most red spaces.

If a player lands on this space, this space triggers an event. The event varies by board and location, and it sometimes helps or hinders a player. They are the third most common space on the board. Landing on a Green Space also contributes to earning the bonus star, the Green Star, at the end of the match.

If a player lands on this space, Bowser will appear and do all of sorts events that usually hinder the player. In some instances, however, when the player does not have any stars or coins, Bowser gives the player ten coins instead. Bowser spaces only appear if another player previously landed on a DK space. This is also noteworthy that Bowser only does one event and will not make the players play a Bowser minigame, unlike the previous Mario Party games.

If a player lands on this space, Donkey Kong will appear and will always try to help the player. The actions he does varies by board. Donkey Kong spaces will always be available at the start of every party, but whenever a player lands on it, it will turn into a Bowser Space.

If a player lands on this space, something will take the player to a lucky area. In this area, the spaces are all blue spaces and all spaces have three coins for taking. In the end of the lucky area, a free star will always be there for the player (the only exception being in Bowser's Warped Orbit, in which the player is granted three Bowser Candies or three Bullet Candies by running over Candy Areas). The lucky area varies by board.

Only appearing in Duel Mode or Star Battle Arena, the space starts a Duel Game to whoever lands on the space. Just like Duel Minigames from the previous Mario Party games, the loser of the minigame gives coins to the winner.

Only appearing in Duel Mode and Star Battle Arena, the space starts a Challenge Minigame. The player can earn coins if they win the minigame and will earn nothing if they lose the minigame. This is the only way a player can obtain the challenge minigames.

There are fourteen different Candy power-ups in Mario Party 8. Players can obtain a candy from a Candy Shop or a Candy space on the board. Some are not found on all boards, however. There is a Bonus Star for eating the most candy.

When used, the Twice Candy adds a dice block to the player's roll. The only advantage it has over the Thrice Candy is that it is cheaper and more common. Adding a dice block to the roll can help the player reach the star closer or other techniques used to help the player. It is very much like the Mushroom Orb and other similar items from the previous games or the Double Dice Set from Mario Party DS. Also, if the player rolls the same number on all 2 Dice Blocks, they get a bonus 10 coins (except for two "7's" which is 30 coins).

When used, the Thrice Candy adds two dice blocks to the player's roll. Even though the player can travel farther if rolled correctly than a player who used the Twice Candy, the candy is a tad more expensive and rarer than the Twice Candy. It does have similar benefits to the Twice Candy, though. It can be compared to the Super Mushroom Orbs from the previous games or the Triple Dice set from Mario Party DS. If the player gets the same numbers on all 3 Dice Blocks they get 30, 50, or 100 coins.

When used, the Slowgo Candy slows down the dice block roll, very much like the Sluggish 'Shroom Orb or Halfway Dice Block, but it limits the dice block roll to 1-5. The Slowgo Candy can be used for arriving in spaces the player wants to land to. It costs slightly more than a Twice Candy, but less than a Thrice Candy.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a spring-version of the character. The player can warp to another player's space via the dart wheel and move after they made it to their destination. This could be helpful for getting a star before the opponents get to it or simply moving closer to the star.

If the player uses it, they will transform into an electric version of the character. The player can destroy half the coins an opponent has, chosen by the dart wheel. If used in Team Battles, the player will just zap a random member of the other team's coins. Note that this just removes half of the player's coins and the player who used the candy will not earn any coins.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a vampire version of the character. They can take coins from other players chosen by the Dart Wheel. Unlike the Cashzap Candy, the player will actually take coins from the other players. The amount of coins taken ranges from 1, 5, and 10.

If the player uses it, they will transform into an 8-bit version of the character. Upon moving, the player will collect three coins by jumping on Coin Blocks every time they take a space. This rare candy cannot be found in shops; they can only be found by moving through Candy Areas.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a tornado version of the character. The player can warp any opponent they pass back to the start of the board. It can be useful for places such as Goomba's Booty Boardwalk.

If the player uses it, they will transform into three tiny clones of themselves and steal any candy an opponent has by just moving past an opponent. If the opponent happens to have no candy, nothing will happen.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a ball version of the character. The player can steal ten coins from any player they passes. Note that any player in a Bowlo form will pass by shops, but not stars unlike items from previous games that can make the player pass by stars as well as shops.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a stone version of the character's head. The player can make any player they run into lose half of their coins. Note that this does not steal half of the player's coins; it just makes them lose half of the coins they owned. This candy also makes the player pass by shops, like the Bowlo Candy.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a Bullet Bill version of the character. The player can roll three dice blocks, but it can only steal one star from another player if they pass a player while in that form. The candy is only found in Bowser's Warped Orbit, where it is mandatory to steal someone's stars to win.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a Bowser version of the character. The player can only roll two dice blocks, unlike the Bullet Candy, but it can steal two stars from another player if they pass a player while in that form. The candy is only found in Bowser's Warped Orbit, where it is mandatory to steal someone's stars to win.

If the player uses it, they will transform into a fiery version of the character. The player can roll two dice blocks and if they pass an opponent, they will start a duel minigame with that opponent. Duelo Candies are also rewards from MC Ballyhoo in Chump Charity. After the player completed the minigame, they will land on the space the opponent is landing on instead of going further.

Minigame Tent: In this mode, Players can play minigames they have unlocked elsewhere. They can play just one minigame or set up a competition using specific minigames or a set of minigames. Completing minigames earns the player cards for the player to spend at the Surprise Wagon.

Free Play Arcade: The Free Play Arcade allows players to play specific minigames they have unlocked elsewhere. They can obtain minigames by either competing in the Star Battle Arena, playing in Party Mode, or buying them out at the Minigame Wagon.

Crown Showdown: Up to four players compete for the crown which can be achieved by winning either 3, 5, or 7 minigames. Players select the rules of play including number of player, number of wins needed, and the set of minigames to be played. Minigames from a set are chosen randomly.

Flip-Out Frenzy: Up to four players complete in this mode. For each minigame won, players choose panels on a grid board to flip. When the player chooses a panel, all horizontal and vertical grids right next to it will also get flipped. The player with the most panels wins.

Tic-Tac Drop: This mode is limited to two players. The players play duel minigames, with the winner permitted to drop a ball of their own color into a a Tic-Tac-Toe grid. The first player who get all three of their balls in a row win.

Test For The Best: The player has to unlock certain minigames to play this and they must buy in from the Surprise Wagon at the Fun Bazaar before playing it. The player competes for the best score from playing ten minigames. It is similar to the Minigame Decathlon from previous Mario Party games, except only one player can play at a time.

Extras Zone: In this mode, the player can play extra minigames such as Moped Mayhem. The player can also use their Miis to participate in the Extras Zone.

Fun Bazaar: The Fun Bazaar is a place where the player can exchange cards for items, modes, and minigames or check records.

Records Board: The player can view minigame sets or the best records here. The player can also view the Staff Records after they bought them from the Surprise Wagon.

Minigame Wagon: Minigames can be bought here using Carnival Cards. The wagon is only accessible after completing the Star Battle Arena.

Carnival Wagon: The player can view any Carnival Figures they collected and watch them in a Carnival Parade.

Surprise Wagon: The player can trade Carnival Cards for various items such as Sound Tests, Extra Minigames, Carnival Figurines, and other stuff. Unlike what the instruction booklet says, it's always available.

Carnival Calliope: The player can listen to music, sounds, and voices by accessing here. Some features must be bought at the Surprise Wagon first before listening to it.

Mario Party 8 has a total of seventy-three minigames, most which makes use of the Wii Remote and its motion control capabilities, though some also require the controller to be held in a more traditional way. Unlike other Mario Party games, all minigames rather than a randomized select few are displayed in a single, large roulette corresponding to what type of minigame they are.

After its North American release on May 29, 2007, the game sold 314,000 units in the United States in three days, making it the best-selling home console game in the country that month. As of March 31, 2008, the game has sold 4.86 million copies worldwide. In Japan, Mario Party 8 has sold 1,239,716 copies as of the end of Q2 2008, according to Famitsu. Mario Party 8 is the 11th best-selling game for the Wii, selling 7.6 million copies worldwide, as of March 31, 2014.[citation needed]

As with most Mario Party games, reviews have been mixed. One of the biggest criticisms was the lack of wi-fi and widescreen. Matt Casamassina of IGN referred to the single-player mode as "torture" and commented on the visuals as "graphics don't even impress as a GCN title".

The game's launch in the United Kingdom was plagued by difficulties. Originally scheduled for release on June 22, 2007, Nintendo announced on June 19, 2007 that the English version had been delayed to July 13, 2007, due to a "production issue."

Furthermore, upon the release on July 13, 2007, the game was immediately recalled. In a press release, Nintendo gave the reason for the withdrawal as an assembly error, but some retailers (and Wikipedia) reported that it was reportedly withdrawn from shelves because some copies included a line which went "Magikoopa Magic! Turn the train spastic! Make this ticket tragic!" (as part of a magic spell used by a Magikoopa in the board Shy Guy's Perplex Express), "spastic" being considered a highly offensive word in the United Kingdom. Therefore, the game was banned in the UK. Copies without the word "spastic" used the word "erratic" instead. The game was eventually re-released in the United Kingdom on 3rd August 2007.

Mario Party 9: All the playable characters (except Toadette) reappear, with Boo, Dry Bones, Hammer Bro and Blooper becoming supporting characters. Also, some of the characters' voice clips from this game are reused.